to south africa, where one man was in their prayers today, president nelson mandela, who is spending the day recovering in the hospital. back here in britain, hundreds gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal family, as they walked to their traditional morning church service, at the queen's 20-acre estate at sandringham. in afghanistan, troops away from their families, fighting on the front lines, treated to a special christmas meal and a candlelight service. but it's not quite like home. >> even though we'd like to be with our families, we realize the importance of what we're doing here. and we believe in it. >> reporter: and for some australians, it was a wet christmas. and they still managed to mark the day in their own way. >> merry christmas. >> reporter: for "good morning america," lama hasan, abc news, london. >> swimming down under sounds nice. >>> there could be severe storms, even tornadoes in alabama, mississippi and louisiana. foggy this morning from tallahassee to atlanta. heavy snow in oklahoma. cold temps in the upper midwest. new york and baltimore will warm up to the